US drugstore wish list!

As you would expect, the most organised I am about our holiday is compiling an in depth shopping list for what I want to buy in the States.

Whilst there aren't too many drugstore items on my wishlist these are the ones I will be actively seeking out.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer:  We can buy Maybelline here but not this concealer and I have heard so many amazing things about it I want to pick up one (or two)

Opi nail polish in A butterfly moment: Opi is so cheap in the States compared to both Dubai and the UK and I had a manicure recently here in Dubai with this shade.  I'm not sure if it's still available as it was part of a Mariah Carey collection but I'll be hunting it down.

L'Oreal Infallible Pro Matte: I've heard Amelia rave about this foundation so much and I am desperate to try it even though I very rarely use drugstore foundations.  I hate the packaging but the long lasting formula sounds perfect for a hot and sweaty Dubai.

Milani baked blush: I'd love to pick up a couple of these as they are always highly spoken of.  But they're the only thing I have seen talked about regularly from Milani so other recommendations gratefully received!

Lorac Pro Palette:  Not strictly drugstore but I believe since Sephora stopped stocking Lorac in store that it is now carried in Ulta and Nordstrom.  I already own the Pro Palette 2 but I would love the slightly cooler toned Pro Palette 1 in my collection.  Because I am running out of eyeshadow.

Secret Scent Expressions Crystal Clear Gel: Random I know but my friend Lis swears by this deodorant and buys it in bulk.  She talked about it on her blog and ever since, it has been on my US wishlist.  The time is now.

My high end/Sephora wishlist is somewhat bigger-I may compile a post of the things I really really want to get.

PLEASE let me know if you have any more US drugstore recommendations for me!  At least I can pretend I am buying food and drinks and other random shizz when I am really perving over the make up section!

Guest Post | Stacey-Inspired High-End Beauty Lust List

Hello everyone! My name is Joanna and write a fashion and beauty blog Mademoiselle-Lala.com. Ever since I stumbled upon Stacey's blog months ago, I became not only a fan of her luxurious beauty hauls and reliable reviews, but also of her funny personality and compassion (I have tears in my eyes every time I read about her rescuing a stray cat who became a part of her family). I wanted to contribute and write something on her blog ever since I heard about Stacey's ordeal, but never really knew what to write about - I didn't want to submit something mediocre. Then realisation hit me that I should share with you guys, what I love about Stacey's blog - high-end beauty! So my Stacey-Inspired High-End Beauty Lust List was born and I am proud to present it to you today:

 

 

1. Charlotte Tilbury Eyeshadow Palette in The Vintage Vamp

I am in love with Charlotte Tilbury Eyeshadow Palette in The Dolce Vita which I got for Christmas and I think it's the time to expand my collection. The Vintage Vamp's shades vary from the one I have, so it's ideal to explore and create more make up looks. It's simply gorgeous!

2. Tom Ford Lipstick in Blush Nude

Tom Ford lipstick has been on my wishlist for ages, but pretty much every time I go to Selfridges counter I change my mind about the shade! I am still after a nude, to pair it up with smoky eye for the ultimate glamour. I think Blush Nude may be the shade I am looking for.

 

3. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

I am impatiently waiting for Hourglass to release similar blusher trio, but I really want to get this highlighting palette too. I heard nothing but great stuff about it and it seems that you really pay for the quality with requiring only the tiniest amount of product. 

 

4. Christian Louboutin Nail Colour in Rouge Louboutin

Oh how beautiful this nail polish is! Ever since I attended Talk with Christian Louboutin and got my first pair of red-soled heels, I have been obsessed with the brand and since I am a huge nail polish addict and beauty product hoarder, I simply have to have it!

5. NARS Matte Multiple in Vientiane 

Initially I never thought this would end up on my wishlist, but recently seeing it in action creating a killer cheekbones and flawless contouring, it seems I really need it in my life.

6. Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk

Lip crayon that can help me achieve a bigger pout? Yes please! I read a lot of reviews and saw plenty of tutorials using this Lip Cheat and I am very impressed. I am not really a lip liner girl, but this seems to be the one to have and I know Stacey swears by using it.

7. Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow

Another CT product - what can I say - I'm obsessed with the brand! It already achieved a cult status among make up artists and beauty bloggers and looks so luxurious and glamorous. It works wonders too, and I cannot wait to finally find it in my make up drawer.

8. Lorac Pro Palette

An American palette dream to have. I wanted it for ages since it has virtually all the shades I would use on the daily bases. I'm quite unimpressed with the packaging, so I would probably use it with extra care.

There you go! I hope you've enjoyed reading my post and thank you Stacey for enabling me to contribute to your little place on the Internet.

 

Joanna

 

Sephora and US haulin!

So at the bottom of this post is all the deets of how I actually got my hands on these products from Sephora in the US but lets dive into what I picked up!

The great thing about Sephora is you can sign up to their loyalty programme and earn points for every purchase, which you can then exchange for a selection of items which changes every month.  You also get a gift on your birthday.

I bought two things and got a birthday gift (not sure why, my birthday is in March) and redeemed 100 of my points on a Bite lipstick.

Lorac is a brand I have been wanting to try for so long after receiving a trial size highlighter from them and loving it.  But when I was in the US I discovered that Lorac is no longer stocked inside the Sephora stores and is only available online so I left empty handed.

So I picked up the 'Unzipped' palette which to me reminds me of the UD Naked Basics palette but in a more compact version.  I really love the neutral colours of this palette and will get tons of use out of it!  Mainly shimmery shades (which are my preference) but a couple of matte shades thrown in for good measure.

Lorac Unzipped palette

Lorac 'Unzipped' palette

The Josie Maran Coconut Watercolour Cheek Gelee's launched literally the week after I left New York and I so wanted one!  I chose Poppy Paradise, it goes on a lot sheerer than it looks in the pot and has a unique jelly like texture which is actually really refreshing and light on the skin.

I redeemed 100 of my VIB loyalty points for this Bite lipstick and got the Fresh mini duo as my birthday gift!  I have been wearing the Bite lipstick all week-it is amazing!!

Using my new found method of buying from the States I managed to get my hands on the Mac paint pot in Eclair.  I have been lusting after this for soooooo long after seeing it on the beautiful Gemma from Miss Makeup Magpie's blog. I literally HAD to have it and luckily I managed to get one from Nordstrom.  Gemma has been the most amazing support since I started blogging and recently she asked if she could ask me a few questions to get to know my blog a bit better and I am delighted to have been featured on Gemma's blog here.  I highly recommend having a snoop round Gemma's blog-she is highly original, interactive and one of the loveliest people I have the pleasure of knowing.

Mac paint pot in Eclair

So officially this shade is 'light chocolate with gold pearl' and is a gorgeous colour, it has the tiniest tiniest flecks of green and gold in, almost impossible to pick up unless in sunlight.  It took me a while to get this shade and I had been told Constructivist might be a close dupe but as you can see from my swatches below Eclair is much more bronze-y and golden.  Both are welcome editions to my collection though.

So no, I am not in the US, nor did I get these items in Sephora in Dubai...I have discovered a way to buy from Sephora in the US!

Ok so I can't promise it will work for the UK but I shall share my secret!

US Unlocked-US Unlocked is a service I found through my local courier in Dubai who provide a US registered visa debit card that can be used to make purchases from US stores.  It gives you a US billing address and card details and works like a pre-paid card that you top up via paypal.

But you'll probably need a US shipping address as most companies won't ship cosmetics internationally-luckily I already have one through my local courier here in Dubai but I believe US Unlocked can also provide you with a US shipping address that offers a freight forwarding service and will then deliver your shopping direct to your door.

Yes it is a little expensive (the freight forwarding will obviously carry charges) but some brands (Mac springs to mind) are so much cheaper in the US that it's worth it.  Also, you get access to the newest things as they are released.  And then there are the brands you can't get in the UK/Dubai which was the biggest pull for me-now I have Tarte, Buxom, Kate Somerville, Josie Maran and Nars (which I can't get in Dubai) on tap.

Little update on this post......as of the 15th July I can not longer use this method to purchase from Sephora (cry face).  Some companies do not allow merchandise to be sent to a 'freight forwarding address' because of the fraud risk and Sephora is one of them...it seems the two orders I have done recently basically slipped through the net but my order at the weekend was declined and when I have called they have explained that is why.

My only option now is to have my parcels sent to a friend at a US residential address and then have them forward on the package to my freight forwarding address.  Sadly I don't know anyone who lives in the US to do this though.  Maybe it'll be good for the bank balance!